Radio Sandwell Local News

PCSOs Khalid Akhtar and Joy Shoker 'sacked for bullying'

Two police community support officers accused of bullying a colleague say they unfairly lost their jobs.

Khalid Akhtar, 42, and Joy Shoker, 24, who worked for West Midlands Police, are appealing against the dismissals at an employment tribunal in Birmingham.

The force said both PCSOs had harassed the colleague by text message after some indecent photos were taken from her phone and spread around.

The colleague had left her phone while she gave evidence in court.

A total of five PCSOs were disciplined in connection with the alleged incident in May 2011.

One was reinstated on appeal, and another resigned while suspended.

'Professional behaviour'

West Midlands Police said Mr Akhtar, who had worked with the force since 2005, and Ms Shoker lost their jobs because of bullying and harassment by text message, not for distributing the indecent material.

They deny the allegations and claim they were unfairly dismissed, racially discriminated against and that their contracts were breached.

Both of the officers had been based in Wolverhampton.

Chris Rowson, head of human resources at West Midlands Police, said: "West Midlands Police expect the highest standards of professional behaviour from all of its employees and will thoroughly investigate allegations suggesting that any employee falls short of these expectations."